Decorative external curtain assembly and system for exterior decoration

ABSTRACT

A decorative external curtain assembly is disclosed for applying decorative fabric material to an external facade of a building, the assembly comprising: a sheet of fabric material having top and bottom edges: and complementary engageable fastener strips respectively affixed to the sheet of fabric material and the external façade of the building for fastening at least one edge of the fabric material to the external façade of the building. The engageable fastener strips are preferably made of VELCRO™ Tape having co-acting miniature hooks and loops formed of relatively rigid filament material for fastening the fabric material to the external façade of the building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a novel decorative curtain assemblyfor application to the exterior of buildings and similar structures, andmore particularly to a decorative external curtain assembly which isadapted for ease of application and removal to create a system ofexterior decoration for application to the exterior of buildings thatprovides decorative and commercial displays in a manner that takesadvantage of a full range of artistic expression.

2. Background of the Invention

It is well known to hang flags and banners from a porch using polesduring a Fourth of July celebration or from the façade of a retail storeor restaurant to advertise a holiday sale. Such display arrangements,however, are limited by their ability to adapt the display to thestructure variations in the façade of the building and thereby fail toprovide a full range of possible decorative displays available forapplication to the exterior of a building.

In that regard, merely hanging a flag or banner from a pole or over theedge of balcony is quite a restrictive expression which does notconsider application of fabric like materials to the varied recesses andsurface features of the façade of a building and its ancillary exteriorstructures such as a balcony.

In addition to the foregoing noted limitations, known arrangements forsupporting and attaching flags and banners, such as flag pole holdersand grommet fastening, are limited in their application to the façade ofthe building, require support structures that anchor into the buildingand therefore cannot be easily or inexpensively applied to the building.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adecorative, external curtain assembly for decorating the externalfacades of building structures that overcomes the deficiencies of theprior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative,external curtain assembly for application to building structures tocreate a system of exterior decoration whereby building structures, suchas houses, restaurants, retail stores, tents, apartment buildings andoffice high-rises, having facades and ancillary exterior structures,such as porches, balconies, eaves, gables, roof lines are decoratedusing fabrics and/or flexible sheet materials for display for anyoccasion such as during national holidays, festivals as well as foradvertising purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorativeexternal curtain assembly and system of exterior decoration that isversatile in their ability to apply external curtains, such as,valances, flags, banners, advertising displays, to almost any type ofexterior building façade.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a decorativeexternal curtain assembly and system that is simple to use andinexpensive to make and use.

One particular advantageous feature of the present invention afforded bythe easy of application of the decorative external curtain assembly isthat it provides for a system of exterior decoration that allows forchanges of exterior decoration to accommodate different seasons,holidays and even for an appropriate day or night look.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is that thedecorative external curtain assembly provides an easy and affordablebasic design element of the system of exterior decoration formanipulating the look, mood and atmosphere of an exterior of a buildingas well as an associated exterior area, such as a courtyard, plaza orthe like.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention are achieved, according to one embodiment, by a decorativeexternal curtain assembly for applying fabric material to an externalfacade of a building, the assembly comprising: a sheet of fabricmaterial and complementary engageable fastener strips respectivelyapplied to the sheet of fabric material and the external façade of thebuilding for fastening the fabric material to the external façade of thebuilding.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, thecomplementary engageable fastener strips are made of VELCRO™ tape tocreate a temporary bond between the building and the fabric that iseasily broken by pulling apart the VELCRO™ strips. The VELCRO™ stripsare respectively attached to the building, for example, with anyexisting adhesive or hot glue and to the fabric material either bysewing or adhesive.

According to the present invention, there is further provided a systemof exterior decoration of a building having a facade, the systemcomprising: a decorative external curtain assembly for applying fabricmaterial to an external facade of a building, the assembly comprising: asheet of fabric material and complementary engageable fastener stripsrespectively applied to the sheet of fabric material and the externalfaçade of the building for fastening the fabric material to the externalfaçade of the building to create a temporary bond between the buildingand the fabric that is easily broken by pulling by pulling the fastenerstrips apart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the novel decorative curtainassembly of the present invention applied to the external façade of abuilding comprising a porch on the front to a detached single familydwelling;

FIG. 2 depicts the complementary engageable fastener strips, made, forexample of VELCRO™ tape;

FIG. 3 illustrates the application of further embodiments of the presentinvention applied, for example to a commercial business structure as away for offering an easy and versatile means whereby small, franchise ormuseum enterprises can advertise and communicate changes in product,prices, decorations, and the like;

FIG. 4 illustrated yet another embodiment of the present inventionapplied to a façade of temporary, outdoor structure such as a tent; and

FIG. 5 illustrates still a further embodiment of the present inventionas applied to a multi-story building having different types of façades.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a novel decorative curtainassembly according to the teachings of the present invention isgenerally indicated at 11 and illustrated as applied to the externalfaçade 15 of a building 17. In the illustrative example of FIG. 1, theexternal façade 15 comprises a porch on the front the building 17, forexample, a detached single-family dwelling or home. The decorativecurtain assembly 11 is adapted to apply decorative fabric material 19,illustrated here as pleated fabric, to the external facade 15 of thebuilding 17.

Generally indicated at 21 are complementary engageable fasteners, suchas, for example, made of VELCRO™ tape or strips, that are used to attachthe decorative curtain assembly 11 to the external facade 15. Thecomplementary engageable fasteners 21 create a strong and yet temporarybond between the building and the fabric that is easily broken bypulling apart the VELCRO™ strips. The VELCRO™ strips are preferable andrespectively attached to the building with any existing adhesive or glueand to the fabric material by either sewing or adhesive.

In FIG. 1 the decorative fabric 19 is shown in the form of a valancewith inverted box pleats, a short drapery hung at the top of a structurewith the fabric folded equal manner and distance, by pressing the upperpleats towards each other and the under pleats pressed in oppositedirections. The invention allows for a wide range of options for thedecorative fabric 19 while the mechanics of the complementary engageablefasteners 21 allows for an easy and inexpensive method of changing thedecorative fabric 19 on an exterior façade 15.

Options similar to the goals and versatility of interior curtains areavailable by altering the fabric weight, content, weave, color anddrapery (folds of fabric), with auxiliary embellishments as part of itsbasic design such as piping, fringe, ties, tassels; or separateadditions attached with at appropriate placement, using glue or VELCRO™,such additional attachments including, for example, bows, bells, bannersand communications can accent the beauty and look of the of building 17.

Possible artistic options include sun and weather resistant fabric,often used in standard awnings, of colors accenting the house; orseasonal changes such as a light fabric of cotton or linen in lightcolors of white, beige, tan or blue in solids or stripes draped in aswage or generous flounce for summer decoration. Additional decorationsof piping, cording, tassels, fringe or even novelty decorations such asseashells, etc., can either be part of the basic design or an additionaloption added with a VELCRO™ attachment. The look of the exterior areacan easily be changed for evening; an example decoration would be aloose weave metallic fabric.

Autumn lends itself to heavier fabric of colors of gold and oranges orperhaps a forest green with a metallic gold edging. The exterior curtaincan easily be changed for Halloween decorations; an example would be asynthetic mesh looking like spider webs with scary auxiliarydecorations.

Again, ease of application allows for appropriate changes for holidaydecorations. A red, white and blue theme for Memorial Day and Fourth ofJuly can be designed from traditional flag material typically nylon, ora cotton or cotton blend fabric allowing for greater range of printoptions. Christmas decoration possibilities include traditional,cultural and innovative expression of the holiday. Fabric of dense weavewith colors of deep reds, greens and gold in solids or traditionalseasonal patterns can be embellished with fringe, tassels and ties;polyester white chiffon can be draped in a swage tied with red bows;nostalgic, religious or humorous decorations are all appropriate forthis holiday.

Artistic expression of a current cultural fad such as a denim, thediversity of our ethnic culture or sporting events using a variety offabrics, colors, drapery (folds of fabric), appropriate words such as“HAPPY HOLIDAYS”, “WELCOME”, “GO TEAM”; auxiliary embellishments as partof its basic design or as additions attached with appropriate VELCRO™placement including the possibility of decorative lights of safe voltageand placement are all in the range of this application.

Referring to FIG. 2, the complementary engageable fasteners 21, shown asseen from standing on the porch looking out, comprise complementaryengageable fastener strips 21 a, 21 b, respectively attached to thefabric and the building, for affixing the decorative curtain assembly 11to the external facade 15. The strips 21 a, 21 b preferably comprise,for example, VELCRO™ tape or strips having co-acting miniature hooks andloops formed of relatively rigid filament material. The decorativecurtain assembly 11 is affixed to the building using the action of theVELCRO™ strips 21 a, 21 b which adhere to together to create a strongattachment and yet temporary bond that is easily broken by simplypulling the two strips 21 a, 21 b apart.

As is well known, VELCRO™ the co-acting miniature hooks and loops, onseparate side of the VELCRO™ strip, engage one another so that theVELCRO™ strips adhere together using the same action that is employedwhen a burr attaches itself to a piece of clothing or the like. One sideof the strip 21 a of the VELCRO™ tape is attached to the external façade15 of the building 17 at the appropriate location, using, for example,any suitable existing adhesive or hot glue; while the other side of thestrip 21 b of VELCRO™ tape is either sewn or appropriately adhered, byhot glue or convention adhesive, in this instance, to top edge of thedecorative fabric material 19.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the VELCRO™strips 21 a is attached to an upper inside horizontal surface 25 of theporch 15 that run adjacent the ceiling of the porch and the other of theVELCRO™ strips 21 b is attached to the decorative fabric material 19 atleast along one edge 23 thereof. The inventor has found that a VELCRO™strip of about two inches wide is sufficient for affixing the decorativefabric material 19 to the external façade 15 of the building 17.

FIG. 3 illustrates further embodiments of the decorative externalcurtain assembly 11 wherein the decorative fabric comprises anadvertising banner 27 applied to an eaves of a commercial building 26,such as a restaurant, retail store or the like. Also shown in FIG. 3 isanother embodiment of the decorative external curtain assembly 11wherein the decorative fabric comprises a flag or banner 29 applied toan eaves of a commercial or residential building 28. This inventionallows for the commercial communication to be easily and inexpensivelychanged throughout the year and applicable for a wide range ofcommercial uses including a small individual business, mass reproductionfor a franchise or an artistic expression at a museum.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present inventionapplied to a façade of temporary, outdoor structure such as a tent.Because this structure is often used for special occasions, and thediversity of occasions is increased because it is often a rentalstructure, the decorative exterior curtain assembly can be adapted forease and versatility of decorations similar to the artistic expressionsconveyed for FIG. 1. One side of the required VELCRO™ strip is adheredto the structure while the other side of the VELCRO™ strip is used toattached a variety of decorative items such as fabrics of differentweights, weaves, colors, drapes and lengths combined with fringe,piping, ties, tassels to create the desired look, mood and atmospherefor the event along with auxiliary decoration such as wedding bells,reflective stars, lights, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, one strip of the VELCRO™ tape 21 a is attached tothe appropriate edge of the temporary structure 33 and the decorativefabric 19 is draped to form three overlapping swags 77 with jabots 88 ateach side. This design for the decorative fabric 19 can be constructedso each section; jabot 88, swag 77 a and swags 77 b; is permanentlyattached to each other creating a fixed length. The other strip of theVELCRO™ tape 21 b is adhered across the entire top edge of thedecorative fabric 19 that faces the outside, attaching properly toVELCRO™ tape 21 a.

This particular design could also be constructed in the following way.The three swags 77 and the jabot 88 that form the decorative fabric 19would each be constructed separately. Along the top edge of each swag 77and jabot 88 VELCRO™ tape 21 b would be attached to the fabric sidefacing outward.

On the right and left sides of swags 77 b would have a strip of VELCRO™tape 21 a attached parallel to the VELCRO™ tape 21 b on the side of thefabric facing inward. The overlap of each section could be manipulatedso the length of the decorative fabric 19 could vary to fit thestructure. In this embodiment of the invention, a temporary outdoorstructure such as a tent 33 the goals and versatility expressed for FIG.1 are available by altering the fabric weight, content, weave, color anddrapery (folds of fabric), with auxiliary embellishments as part of itsbasic design such as piping, fringe, ties, tassels; or separateadditions attached with appropriate VELCRO™ placement, for example bows,bells, banners and communications such as “CONGRATULATIONS”, “BEST OFLUCK”, “ALUMNUS”;

FIG. 5 shows the application of various embodiments of the presentinvention applied to the balconies of a multi-story building such as anapartment building, office building or hotel. This application allowsthe possibility of apartment dwellers and occupying commercial entitiesfor above mentioned expression.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of specificexemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that various modificationsand alterations might be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as specified in thefollowing claims.

1. A decorative external curtain assembly for applying fabric materialto an external facade of a building, the assembly comprising: a sheet offabric material; complementary engageable fastener strips forrespectively fastening the fabric material to the external façade of thebuilding; and an attachment arrangement for attaching one of thecomplementary engageable fastener strips to the building and another ofthe complementary engageable fastener strips to the fabric material; andwherein the complementary engageable fastener strips are made of a pairof strips, one strip having co-acting miniature hooks formed of arelatively rigid filament material and another of the strips havingloops also formed of a relatively rigid filament material which engageone another to form a bond between the building and the fabric that isbroken by pulling apart the pair of strips; and wherein thecomplementary engageable fastener strips fasten the fabric material tothe external façade along an entire edge of the fabric material. 2.(Cancelled)
 3. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim1, wherein the fastener strips are respectively attached to the buildingby adhesive and to the fabric material by sewing or adhesive. 4.(Cancelled)
 5. (Cancelled)
 6. A decorative external curtain assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the complementary engageable fastenerstrips fasten more than one edge of the fabric material to the externalfaçade of the building.
 7. A decorative external curtain assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the fabric material is made of one of anature material, a synthetic material and a combination of synthetic andnature materials.
 8. A decorative external curtain assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the fabric material forms at least one of: an externalcurtain, a valance, a flag, a banner, and an advertising display.
 9. Adecorative external curtain assembly according to claim 1, whereinexternal façade of the building is at least one of: a porch, a balcony,an eave, a gable, and a roof line.
 10. A decorative external curtainassembly according to claim 1, wherein the building is at least one of atent, a commercial structure and a residential structure.
 11. Adecorative external curtain assembly according to claim 10, wherein thecommercial structure is at least one of a restaurant and a retail store.12. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 4, whereinthe Velcro strip is approximately two inches wide.
 13. A system ofexterior decoration, the system comprising: a building having anexternal façade; at least one decorative external curtain assembly;complementary, engageable fastener strips for attaching the decorativeexternal curtain assembly to the external façade of the building; andattachment means for respectively attaching one of the complementaryengageable fastener strips to the decorative external curtain assemblyand another of the complementary engageable fastener strips to theexternal façade of the building.
 14. A system according to claim 13,wherein the decorative external curtain assembly is made of fabric. 15.A system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one decorativecurtain assembly comprises a plurality of decorative curtain assemblieseach adapted for display of a different type of motif.
 16. A systemaccording to claim 15 wherein the different type of motifs include:seasonal displays, holiday displays, advertising displays, autumn,winter, summer and spring displays, informational displays anddecorative displays.
 17. A system according to claim 14, herein thefabric material is made of one of a nature material, a syntheticmaterial and a combination of synthetic and nature materials.
 18. Asystem according to claim 17, wherein the fabric material forms at leastone of: an external curtain, a valance, a flag, a banner, and anadvertising display.
 19. A system according to claim 13, wherein theexternal façade of the building is at least one of: a porch, a balcony,an eave, a gable, and a roof line.
 20. A system according to claim 13,wherein the building is at least one of a tent, a commercial structureand a residential structure.
 21. A system according to claim 13, whereinthe complementary engageable fastener strips are made of a pair ofstrips, one strip having co-acting miniature hooks formed of arelatively rigid filament material and another of the strips havingloops also formed of a relatively rigid filament material which engageone another to form a bond between the building and the fabric that isbroken by pulling apart the pair of strips; and wherein thecomplementary engageable fastener strips fasten the fabric material tothe external façade along an entire edge of the fabric material.